I have never been a person who adores poetry. In fact, I spent most of my childhood avoiding it - except for one author. Shel Silverstein. Now that I'm older, perhaps wiser, I have read more poetry to my children than I have read in my entire life. Poetry is beginning to grow on me.... Continue Reading →
Sarah, Plain and Tall
In Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia Maclachlan, Anna tells the story of her family. Her mother died shortly after her little brother, Caleb, was born and Anna can't help feeling sad and somewhat resentful towards him. But her father's surprising announcement quickly diverts her attention. He has placed an ad in the newspaper for... Continue Reading →
The Runaway Bunny
"Once there was a little bunny who wanted to run away." So begins The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown, a book you and your child will enjoy over and over and over again. The little bunny tells his mother of his wishes, and his mother promises to run after him. He imagines all the... Continue Reading →
Winnie-the-Pooh
Winnie-the-Pooh is a beloved character, but I'm afraid most children these days only know the Disney-fied Pooh Bear. If that's the only Pooh your children know, please, please please! pick up A.A. Milne's original books and read them with your children. Milne first published the original books in 1928, and the fact they are still... Continue Reading →
The Children’s Book of Virtues
The Children's Book of Virtues, edited by William J. Bennett, is a book meant to be shared with children. It's meant for cuddling on the couch together, sharing a poem or a story together and discussing what it means. Michael Hague illustrated the book with beautiful pictures and borders which will fascinate children. It's a... Continue Reading →
Science Activities
I'll admit, I am not a science mom. I wish I were, because my boys are science whizzes and love it. I, however, struggle to understand their junior-high-level science experiments. (Honestly, I've given up.) However, my children have all - even my non-sciency girls - really enjoyed The Usborne Book of Science Activities, all three... Continue Reading →
Calico Bush
I imagine Calico Bush by Rachel Field is not at the top of many people's reading lists. But it should be! This is the second time I've read through Calico Bush, but it will certainly not be my last. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed this story. Marguerite is an orphaned French girl who... Continue Reading →
Misty of Chincoteague
If the children in your life love horses, they will love Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry. (By the way, it's pronounced chink-o-teeg) The story follows Paul and Maureen, two children on Chincoteague Island in Virginia who desperately want to buy a wild horse from Assateaugue (ass-a-teeg) Island. They work very hard, finding odd jobs... Continue Reading →
Doctor De Soto
The hero of Doctor De Soto by William Steig, is a dentist. He's not an ordinary dentist - he's a mouse dentist, and a good one at that. All the animals come to see him, and he has various solutions for working on the mouths of animals bigger than he. However, Doctor De Soto does... Continue Reading →
The Story of Doctor Dolittle
If you have never read the original The Story of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting, you are in for a treat. I think the title tells it all: The Story of Doctor Dolittle: Being the History of His Peculiar Life at Home and Astonishing Adventures in Foreign Parts. Never Before Printed. John Dolittle, M.D. -... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 